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The Alpine Club of Canada
The Alpine Club of Canada

Rogers Pass Powder- Asulkan

A Skiing Experience Normally Reserved for Heli-Accessed Lodges

Rogers Pass is one of the undoubted capitals of North American ski touring thanks to its reliable powder, massive vertical and varied terrain types. These guided, catered camps takes you to hut which allows you to fully maximize this potential – the Asulkan Cabin 

This year we are offering our Asulkan Powder Camp on a prime weekend (Friday to Monday) to  accommodate for your busy schedule. The spectacular, high altitude location of the hut will allow you to tackle some of Rogers Pass’s more involved ski mountaineering objectives and our knowledgeable guides will allow you get the most out of your visit. What’s more, we’ll arrange for high quality, backcountry-specific food to be portered up to the hut so you can put your energy into skiing rather than carrying a heavy pack.

 

Our Rogers Pass Powder Camps are always some of our most popular so let us take the stress out of your Rogers Pass experience this winter and register early to avoid disappointment!

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BOOKING INFORMATION

Date:
FEBRUARY: 14TH – 17TH, 2025

Price: $2000+ TAX

REGISTER NOW
GEAR LIST
TRIP WAIVERS AND LIABILITY
CANCELLATION POLICY
Before registering, please review our Waivers and Liability page.

MORE INFORMATION

Please try to register online before calling. If you are having issues please try to have your emergency contact information and course questionnaire filled out before calling.

EMAIL US

OR Call: (403)-678-3200 ext 213

Backcountry Skiing Hazards

  • Avalanche
      • Avalanches can occur in the terrain you will be entering. Caused by natural forces, or by people travelling through the terrain  
    What are the risks
      • Anyone caught in a avalanche is at risk of personal injury, death, and or property damage or loss
    Hazard Mitigation
    • Our ACMG certified guides have experience and training to manage this risk
    • Daily risk assessment processes
    • Guest training
  • Terrain
      • Cornices
      • Crevasses
      • Trees, tree wells, and tree stumps
      • Cliffs
      • Creeks
      • Rocks and Boulders
      • Variable and difficult snow conditions
      • Impact or collision with other persons or objects
      • Encounters with domestic or wild animals
      • Loss of balance or control
      • Becoming lost or separated from the group
      • Slips, trips, and falls
    Hazard Mitigation
    • Our ACMG certified guides have experience and training to manage this risk
    • Radios and/or other communication devices
  • Boots and Binding systems
    • Even when set up correctly, a ski binding might not release during every fall or may release unexpectedly. The ski boot/binding system is no guarantee that the skier will not be injured. Non-DIN-certified bindings, such as pin/tech bindings, present a higher risk of pre-release and/or injury as they are not designed to the same safety standards as a DIN-certified alpine binding.
    • Unlike alpine ski boot/binding systems, snowboard and some telemark boot/binding systems are not designed or intended to release and will not release under normal circumstances. Using such a system increases the risk of injury and/or death when caught in an avalanche.
  • Communication, rescue, and medical treatment
      • Communication can be difficult and in the event of an accident rescue and treatment may not be available
      • Adverse weather may also delay the arrival of treatment or transportation out of the field,
      • Alpine weather conditions can be extreme and change rapidly without warning making travel by helicopter, snowmobile, snowcat, dangerous
      • If an injury occurs in challenging terrain movement to an evacuation point may be slow
    Hazard Mitigation
    • Your guide is trained in both backcountry first-aid and rescue techniques
    • Emergency response plans
    • Satellite communication tools
  • Other
      • Slips trips and falls indoor or outdoor
      • Infectious disease contracted via direct or indirect contact, including but not limited to influenza or Covid-19
      • Equipment failure
      • Negligence of other persons, including other guests
      • Negligence of the guide Including failure to to take reasonable steps to safeguard or protect you from or warn you of risk, dangers, hazards, oh participating in ACC activities
    Hazard Mitigation
    • Your guide is trained in both backcountry first-aid and rescue techniques
    • Satellite communication tools

An objective in its own right, the Asulkan Cabin is located at the head of the Asulkan Valley in Glacier National Park. The 3-5 hour approach (potentially longer with fresh snow) take you up almost 1000m in elevation and sees you travelling through complex avalanche terrain.

Once settled at the hut, some of the classic nearby objectives include:

  • The Seven Steps of Paradise
  • Asulkan Pass
  • Pterodactyl
  • Sapphire Col
  • Dome Glacier
  • Tree Triangle (for bad weather days)
  • Day 1: Meeting time will be at 7:50 AM PST (Vancouver, Revelstoke), which is 8:50 AM MST (Calgary, Golden) at the Rogers Pass Visitor Centre. Those who need to can pick up their permits and if the group is interested, you will get an orientation from the guide and/or Parks Canada staff on the area and how the winter permit system works. You will then travel up to the Asulkan Cabin and, conditions permitting, have some extra time for turns/moderate objectives en route or upon arrival at the hut.
  • Day 2  & 3: Each morning will see the group setting off early for one of the classic objectives of the upper Asulkan Valley. Our guides will select which objectives to target based on conditions, weather and group input the night before. If conditions are favourable you can expect to reach a ski mountaineering objective with beautiful views, before enjoying powder right back to the doorstep of the hut.
  • Final Day: Conditions permitting you will enjoy a final morning of Rogers Pass powder before skiing back down the Asulkan valley. Upon returning to your vehicles you will have an opportunity to debrief the camp with your guide. We aim to try finish the day around 5pm at the latest to give people time to return home that night. 
Intermediate – Advanced

This camp is designed for experienced backcountry skiers with intermediate to advanced ability.

The following are essential for your enjoyment of this camp:
– Advanced level of fitness
– Confident downhill ski abilities in variable snow conditions with a backpack (powder, icy, crust etc.) on the equivalent of blue (intermediate)/black (advanced) runs at the ski hill
– Experience and training in avalanche companion rescue (AST 1 or equivalent minimum, AST 2 or equivalent preferred)
– Several years of experience ski touring or splitboarding

If you have any concerns about your suitability for this camp, please contact the office before registering. If you don’t think you meet these requirements, our Rogers Pass Power – Wheeler edition  is an excellent alternative.

Food

Evenings will be spent enjoying great food, socializing in cozy hut surroundings and resetting for the next day’s skiing. Food supplies will be carried in by porter to reduce pack weights and increase the quality and enjoyment of skiing and there will be a mix of lightweight but nutritious backpacking meals and snacks to keep you properly fueled and hydrated for your adventure. All of our food is provided by specialized backcountry caterers based out of the Bow Valley. 

Accommodation

In the Asulkan hut (elevation 2100m), you can look forward to an incredible sense of isolation and spectacular views over the valley. The location removes the need to travel to and from the alpine each day making successful ascents of many of the higher altitude objectives in the valley more likely. The hut is a beautiful panabode style building which sleeps 10 so your group will have whole facility to yourself. The stove, lighting and heat are all fuelled by propane. Both huts are stocked with cooking and eating utensils as well as sleeping pads.

Guiding

Our ACMG certified ski or full mountain guides will ensure your adventure is both safe and enjoyable. Our guides will be welcome to answering questions about the region as well as everything from ski technique to gear.

The ACC hires guides certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG). Visit the ACMG website to learn more about what they do!

 
 
 
 
Gear and Rentals

Don’t have everything on the gear list (found on the right hand side of this webpage)? We recommend heading to Gear Up in Canmore to grab any items your might be missing. To ensure availability of items call ahead to book. ACC members get a 10% discount.

YOUR GUIDES

We sell Tugo® Travel Insurance suitable for both ACC Adventures and personal trips:

TRAVEL INSURANCE

INCLUDED WITH YOUR CAMP FEE

  • 4 days of professional guiding at max 6:1 ratios by certified ACMG ski guides
  • 3 nights accommodation at the sought after Asulkan hut
  • All Group Gear (ropes, emergency equipment, etc.)
  • Meals starting with Dinner on day 1
  • Portered food drop at the hut to reduce backpack loads
  • Parks Canada Wilderness Pass (for overnight stays in National Parks)

PARTICIPANTS MUST PROVIDE

  • Transportation to and from Rogers Pass
  • Breakfast and Lunch on Day 1
  • Personal gear (see gear list)

ORGANIZING FANTASTIC ACC ADVENTURES FOR OVER 100 YEARS

  • Local Knowledge – based out of Canmore, AB, we know the Rockies region and the best local caterers, guides and porters
  • Dedicated resources – full-time office staff, ACMG guides and group equipment on-hand to ensure your trip runs smoothly
  • Not-for-profit – any money we make on camps and courses is reinvested into providing services for our members and the mountain community